Eagles recruit made to regret his old fan-boy messages
New West Coast recruit Tom McCarthy has gone from stacking shelves at Woolworths to being on an AFL list, but there's some old fan-boy messages that are already coming back to haunt him.
McCarthy was one of the feel-good stories of the AFL's mid-season rookie draft, the 24-year-old selected at pick No.1 by the Eagles to cap a meteoric rise over the past few years.
The speedy half-back had never been a part of an elite junior pathway, and until two years ago was playing division two football for Highett in the Southern Football Netball League.
McCarthy joined Richmond's VFL program last year, and his progression was so rapid the Eagles had no hesitation in pouncing on him with their prized No.1 pick.
The Victorian had never even visited Perth before, and he was welcomed with open arms by his new Eagles teammates when he flew in on Thursday.
But a bonding dinner that night with Eagles players uncovered something slightly embarrassing - McCarthy's old fan messages to new teammate Jayden Hunt.
McCarthy grew up adoring the Melbourne Demons, listing the likes of David Neitz, Brad Green and Russell Robertson as some of his idols, as well as current superstar Christian Petracca.
But he also had plenty of love for Hunt, who played 114 games for Melbourne between 2016 and 2022 before joining West Coast.
"There's a few photos and messages that I sent him back in the day as a fan," McCarthy said with a laugh.
"There's a joke going around at the moment that my favourite player was Jayden Hunt back when he was at Melbourne, so there's been a bit of laughter about that.
"I can't remember what I texted him, but I used to love he had his headband ... and he used to love his choccie milk. He made it a big thing, so it would have been about that."
McCarthy, who will play for West Coast's WAFL side on Saturday, has been working in a marketing company for the past six months.
Before that, he spent more than six years at Woolworths.
For most of his football career, McCarthy has been told he is too skinny and not good enough to make it to the elite level.
He used that criticism as extra motivation to achieve his dreams.
"To go from waking up early stacking shelves ... to being footy full-time now is a very good thing for me, and I"m so excited," McCarthy said.
"For me, coming in as a 24-year-old, already working through some not fantastic jobs, I definitely know I won't take this for granted.
"I'm so glad I'm not sitting at a desk anymore."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
AFLW introduces future pick trading, pre-season draft, as part of 2025 rule changes
AFLW clubs will soon be able to trade future picks as part of the evolution of player movement ticked off by the AFL Commission on Wednesday. Following consultation with clubs, a pre-season draft will also be introduced, along with a handful of rule changes and interpretations. Previously, AFLW clubs have been handicapped by the ability to only trade picks in the upcoming draft. Just last year, Paige Scott was forced to delist themselves and nominate for the draft when the forward's trade from Essendon to Richmond fell through. Now, with the introduction of future pick trading, clubs will have the flexibility to trade their future first round selection or their future second round selection, but not both. Clubs must also ensure they maintain a presence in the first round for at least two years across a five-year period, unless otherwise approved, to aid list regeneration. Board approval will also be required in the exchange of first round picks. A pre-season draft will also replace the supplementary selection period next year, giving clubs the chance to cover list gaps from the off-season. 'Following the transition to a National Draft last season, these changes are further recognition of the greater sophistication that is being established in the AFLW competition and specifically within player movement,' AFL Executive General Manager of Football Operations Laura Kane said. 'Introducing future pick trading means creating more trade collateral and levers for clubs to pull, giving them greater ability to make list management decisions and in turn, more opportunity for player movement.' The AFL Commission has also approved one rule change aimed at reducing congestion. Where a stoppage occurs within 10m of the boundary between the 50m arcs, the ball up will occur 10m inside the boundary. 'Data shows us that secondary stoppage rates are higher when the ball up is close to the boundary and scoring rates are lower, so the introduction of the on-field rule change is aimed at opening up space around stoppages close to the boundary line where the stoppage is denser,' Kane said. In further changes aimed at reducing density, three further umpiring interpretations will be introduced in 2025: • Ruck Nomination: Once a ruck nomination has been received from each team, the umpire will restart play, regardless of whether the nominated players are in the area to contest the ball up or throw in. • No Genuine Attempt: Umpires will be stricter on players who do not make a genuine attempt to dispose of the ball when tackled legally with no prior opportunity. • Dive/Drag: Umpires will be stricter on players who dive on or drag the ball in and do not immediately knock the ball clear when tackled legally.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
AFL round 14 St Kilda v Western Bulldogs: Live updates, news and SuperCoach scores
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has been talking to troubled forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and is hoping to have him back 'really soon' amid ongoing speculation about the former No. 1 draft pick's future. As Beveridge, who inked a new two-year contract extension this week, confirmed another young gun, Sam Darcy, would make his return against St Kilda just 52 days after suffering what looked a serious knee injury, the premiership-winning mentor said he'd been in talks with Ugle-Hagan during his time away from the Bulldogs. The 23-year-old hasn't played a game in 2025 and remains on leave from the club having previously been placed on a flexible training arrangement as he dealt with off-field issues. That prolonged absence, and varied reports that he had lost the trust of teammates, increased speculation Ugle-Hagan would have to resume his career at another club despite being contracted to the Bulldogs until the end of 2026. Beveridge, however, said Ugle-Hagan, who has spent time in a health retreat in northern NSW while continuing to put in serious training, was not lost to the Bulldogs and held out hope a football return could be looming. 'We're working through that. I've had some meetings with 'Marra',' Beveridge said on Wednesday. 'He's come back from a month of doing everything he can to sort of refocus and work out what's next in his life and the next steps, and the proposition of playing some football is there. 'Whether it's in the distance or whether it's a month-and-a-half away, I couldn't tell you. 'But we're hoping to have him back in it at the football club really soon and that's about all I can tell you.' Ugle-Hagan's comeback would also need AFL approval given he was placed under the league's mental health plan. The return of Darcy, however, is more clear cut, with the 21-year-old budding superstar having completed all necessary recovery to take his place against the Saints at Marvel Stadium in a massive boost to the 6-6 Bulldogs. Beveridge said Darcy could expect a 'bit of ruck time' to avoid upsetting a forward line that has continued to score in his absence, albeit not enough against Hawthorn last week. But it's his forward presence that could alter the Bulldogs game for the better. 'Sam is ready to go,' Beveridge said. 'He's done a really scrupulous and professional job on his rehabilitation form that injury. 'We'll blend a bit of ruck time in there to make sure he's involved in the game. 'But he's an enormous threat. We saw the way his season was evolving and his presence and early in the game last week Hawthorn took a lot of intercept marks and with Sam there, that's not going to happen. 'We'll still look to share the load, but Sam will be used when he's presenting.'
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Quite happily' - inductee played hard off the field
Imagine the reaction if Max Gawn was serving an AFL suspension and spent the new few days on a trip to Lord's to watch the World Test Championship. Australian Football Hall Of Fame inductee Peter Darley freely admits he wouldn't make it as a player now. Darley gave one of the all-time acceptance speeches at Tuesday night's annual induction dinner. While at times his comments drew an uncomfortable gasp from the audience at the Melbourne black tie function, he was the hit of the evening. His best among several memorable anecdotes was being suspended in 1972 while starring as a ruckman for SANFL side South Adelaide. He was also working in sales for the then-national airline TAA and that gave him first-class international plane tickets. So without his coach knowing, Darley flew to London to watch an Ashes Test. He was at Lord's when Australian bowler Bob Massie took 16 wickets on debut. He celebrated hard on the flight home, but soon after his return had to play Glenelg. "I must have turned on the gas and we went past Glenelg, but after three-quarter time I'd run out of gas and I called the bloody stretcher," he said. "Halfway off the ground the stretcher broke and I had to get up and walk off. "Football was something I did on a Saturday and fortunately I was able to get away with it. I wouldn't today, I tell you." Darley starred in South's most recent premiership, way back in 1964, under legendary coach Neil Kerley. "He had us running through sand hills and I said 'well, that's where I used to take my girlfriends'," Darley said. "He taught (us) how to play as a team, not only on the football field, but he also offered us the opportunity to play off the football field - which I took up quite readily and happily." In paying tribute to his fellow inductees, Melbourne great Garry Lyon was particularly taken with Darley. "I'd be happy to go on a footy trip with Peter Darley - I don't know who you are, Pete, but I like the sound of you,," Lyon said. While Darley and Lyon drew the laughs, AFLW greats Erin Phillips and Daisy Pearce brought the emotion with their acceptance speeches. They joined trailblazer Debbie Lee as the only women in the hall of fame. Phillips and Pearce paid tribute to Lee, while Phillips and her father Greg provided the highlight of the night. They are the first father and daughter to be hall of fame members, with Greg already inducted for his stellar playing career at Port Adelaide and Collingwood. "To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more," Phillips said, her voice breaking. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame." South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status, while modern greats Nick Riewoldt and Luke Hodge were also inducted. Darley joined Tasmania's John Leedham and George Owens from WA as this year's historical inductees. There was a sense of sliding doors for Riewoldt and Lyon. Riewoldt was living on the Gold Coast when he was drafted to St Kilda. Another 26km closer to Brisbane, he would have been in the Lions' recruiting zone at the time. Lyon's father Peter played for Hawthorn, but not nearly enough to earn a father-son selection. Lyon never made a grand final at Melbourne and noted his career coincided with four Hawthorn premierships. "I haven't thought about it much," Lyon deadpanned, while also noting he had a "wonderful, wonderful time" at the Demons. Imagine the reaction if Max Gawn was serving an AFL suspension and spent the new few days on a trip to Lord's to watch the World Test Championship. Australian Football Hall Of Fame inductee Peter Darley freely admits he wouldn't make it as a player now. Darley gave one of the all-time acceptance speeches at Tuesday night's annual induction dinner. While at times his comments drew an uncomfortable gasp from the audience at the Melbourne black tie function, he was the hit of the evening. His best among several memorable anecdotes was being suspended in 1972 while starring as a ruckman for SANFL side South Adelaide. He was also working in sales for the then-national airline TAA and that gave him first-class international plane tickets. So without his coach knowing, Darley flew to London to watch an Ashes Test. He was at Lord's when Australian bowler Bob Massie took 16 wickets on debut. He celebrated hard on the flight home, but soon after his return had to play Glenelg. "I must have turned on the gas and we went past Glenelg, but after three-quarter time I'd run out of gas and I called the bloody stretcher," he said. "Halfway off the ground the stretcher broke and I had to get up and walk off. "Football was something I did on a Saturday and fortunately I was able to get away with it. I wouldn't today, I tell you." Darley starred in South's most recent premiership, way back in 1964, under legendary coach Neil Kerley. "He had us running through sand hills and I said 'well, that's where I used to take my girlfriends'," Darley said. "He taught (us) how to play as a team, not only on the football field, but he also offered us the opportunity to play off the football field - which I took up quite readily and happily." In paying tribute to his fellow inductees, Melbourne great Garry Lyon was particularly taken with Darley. "I'd be happy to go on a footy trip with Peter Darley - I don't know who you are, Pete, but I like the sound of you,," Lyon said. While Darley and Lyon drew the laughs, AFLW greats Erin Phillips and Daisy Pearce brought the emotion with their acceptance speeches. They joined trailblazer Debbie Lee as the only women in the hall of fame. Phillips and Pearce paid tribute to Lee, while Phillips and her father Greg provided the highlight of the night. They are the first father and daughter to be hall of fame members, with Greg already inducted for his stellar playing career at Port Adelaide and Collingwood. "To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more," Phillips said, her voice breaking. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame." South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status, while modern greats Nick Riewoldt and Luke Hodge were also inducted. Darley joined Tasmania's John Leedham and George Owens from WA as this year's historical inductees. There was a sense of sliding doors for Riewoldt and Lyon. Riewoldt was living on the Gold Coast when he was drafted to St Kilda. Another 26km closer to Brisbane, he would have been in the Lions' recruiting zone at the time. Lyon's father Peter played for Hawthorn, but not nearly enough to earn a father-son selection. Lyon never made a grand final at Melbourne and noted his career coincided with four Hawthorn premierships. "I haven't thought about it much," Lyon deadpanned, while also noting he had a "wonderful, wonderful time" at the Demons. Imagine the reaction if Max Gawn was serving an AFL suspension and spent the new few days on a trip to Lord's to watch the World Test Championship. Australian Football Hall Of Fame inductee Peter Darley freely admits he wouldn't make it as a player now. Darley gave one of the all-time acceptance speeches at Tuesday night's annual induction dinner. While at times his comments drew an uncomfortable gasp from the audience at the Melbourne black tie function, he was the hit of the evening. His best among several memorable anecdotes was being suspended in 1972 while starring as a ruckman for SANFL side South Adelaide. He was also working in sales for the then-national airline TAA and that gave him first-class international plane tickets. So without his coach knowing, Darley flew to London to watch an Ashes Test. He was at Lord's when Australian bowler Bob Massie took 16 wickets on debut. He celebrated hard on the flight home, but soon after his return had to play Glenelg. "I must have turned on the gas and we went past Glenelg, but after three-quarter time I'd run out of gas and I called the bloody stretcher," he said. "Halfway off the ground the stretcher broke and I had to get up and walk off. "Football was something I did on a Saturday and fortunately I was able to get away with it. I wouldn't today, I tell you." Darley starred in South's most recent premiership, way back in 1964, under legendary coach Neil Kerley. "He had us running through sand hills and I said 'well, that's where I used to take my girlfriends'," Darley said. "He taught (us) how to play as a team, not only on the football field, but he also offered us the opportunity to play off the football field - which I took up quite readily and happily." In paying tribute to his fellow inductees, Melbourne great Garry Lyon was particularly taken with Darley. "I'd be happy to go on a footy trip with Peter Darley - I don't know who you are, Pete, but I like the sound of you,," Lyon said. While Darley and Lyon drew the laughs, AFLW greats Erin Phillips and Daisy Pearce brought the emotion with their acceptance speeches. They joined trailblazer Debbie Lee as the only women in the hall of fame. Phillips and Pearce paid tribute to Lee, while Phillips and her father Greg provided the highlight of the night. They are the first father and daughter to be hall of fame members, with Greg already inducted for his stellar playing career at Port Adelaide and Collingwood. "To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more," Phillips said, her voice breaking. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame." South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status, while modern greats Nick Riewoldt and Luke Hodge were also inducted. Darley joined Tasmania's John Leedham and George Owens from WA as this year's historical inductees. There was a sense of sliding doors for Riewoldt and Lyon. Riewoldt was living on the Gold Coast when he was drafted to St Kilda. Another 26km closer to Brisbane, he would have been in the Lions' recruiting zone at the time. Lyon's father Peter played for Hawthorn, but not nearly enough to earn a father-son selection. Lyon never made a grand final at Melbourne and noted his career coincided with four Hawthorn premierships. "I haven't thought about it much," Lyon deadpanned, while also noting he had a "wonderful, wonderful time" at the Demons.
